We’ve had a number of questions recently about training and funding options for settings looking to help their staff to get qualified.  We also noticed in the Fees & Wages survey that several settings said that to help the recruitment crisis they had recruited either non or low qualified staff with the intention of helping them to get qualified.  This is an excellent solution if you can manage it within ratios!

There are also a number of calls we had where people have done qualifications in the belief that they will make them qualified to work in a setting, but when it comes to checking, they don’t count as full and relevant.  Having to tell someone who has applied for a job (and in some cases has been working in the sector) that their qualification isn’t full and relevant is not a nice job!

Is the qualification full and relevant?

The starting point in checking qualifications is always the gov.uk site here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-qualifications-achieved-in-england  This gives you the spreadsheet which now has three tabs: Guide to using the document, Pre 2014 qualifications and post 14 qualifications.

The Pre-14/Post-14 split is because on 1st September 2014 Level 3 qualifications were ‘simplified’.  Anything started Post-14 (and it is the start date not the end date that matters) must include Early Years Educator in the title.  Slightly confusingly Level 2 qualifications weren’t similarly changed until 2019 so anything started before then will be on the Pre-14 list.  You will need to know the exact title, awarding body and level.  It’s often best to work from a copy of the certificate because the wording is very specific.

Options for Training and Funding

If you’re looking for someone to get qualified there are a few routes most of which can now be completed on the job, without the need to attend college.

Level 2 and 3 courses for Early Years Practitioners

We asked South Gloucestershire College (who are based in Stroud and Bristol) for information on their current courses and funding options.  They sent us the following information:  

Diplomas 

Level 2

The Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner 

This Level 2 course can be funded for any learner who earns below the threshold of £17,374. The applicant applies for a fee waiver as either a low income or benefit waiver. The college will support the learner to do this. 

Links to the course content and enrolment process can be found on the college website here. 

Learners apply through the website and the college will then contact them for initial advice and guidance.

Level 3

Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator)

This popular course can be funded via the National Skills Fund if the applicant meets the following criteria:

• Ages 19 or over
• Lives in England. (Home postcode evidence will be required)
• This will be their first Level 3 Qualification in any subject. (2 or more A Levels are considered a Level 3 equivalent)
• NEW FROM APRIL 2022 An applicant may now be funded through the National Skills Fund if they have already achieved a Level 3 or higher if they earn below the threshold of £18,525

Another alternative is that the applicant utilises an Advanced Learner Loan to pay the course fees of £2,495. Applicants do not commence repayments to the loan until at least the April which follows the completion of their course and until they earn in excess of the income threshold of £27,500.

Learners will need to have achieved or be willing to achieve their Level 2 or equivalent in Maths and English before completion of their Diploma. Stroud College can provide functional skills classes at college, or these can be sourced from a venue more suitable to the applicant.

Applicants can apply directly via the website which will prompt an advice and guidance call. 

Other routes

Apprenticeships: 

This option only costs the setting a small amount in fees and the learner pays nothing. 

• The learner also gets Maths and English qualifications as part of the apprenticeship.
• The employer can pay a lower pay rate if they are recruited as an apprentice (for the first year). 
• There’s no age limit on apprentices.
• The employer has to pay for 20% of their time as ‘off the job training’ although this can include things like attending staff meetings if there is an element of training in them, someone showing them how to do a certain thing (circle time etc), so it doesn’t mean they definitely aren’t in setting. An apprenticeship has to last a minimum of a year and a day. 
• Apprentices have to work a certain number of hours although this has become more flexible in the last few years, but fewer hours will mean a longer course length.

This is a link to the official information on apprenticeships (here) but you can also ask the training provider.

Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner (Apprenticeship)

This is a new qualification which is run as an apprenticeship and is aimed at those working in a senior role such as Room Leader, Early Years Lead, Deputy Manager or Manager.  There are various providers offering this, for example you can see information from one here.  

Early Years Initial Teacher Training

There is also an option for anyone who has a degree (in any subject) to train under the Early Years Initial Teacher Training route.  This is a one year qualification which is an employment based qualification, but will result in a Level 6 qualification and the ability to be used in a 1:13 ratio for children 3+.  This is a great option if you’ve got someone with some experience and a degree level qualification.  There is funding available for this which covers the learner fees and also pays up to £7000 towards their wages in setting.  You can see more information about it with the University of Gloucestershire here.   

Other training opportunities (not full and relevant)

PATA in conjunction with Stroud College are offering a Level 1 course from the 9^th to 27^th May which will take place in our offices in Gloucester.  This would be an ideal introduction for any helpers or parents who might be interested in a career in childcare.  The hours are school friendly and the course is free of charge.  Contact mary.jennings@pataglos.org.uk for more information.

Stroud College also offer a suite of online Level 2 courses relating to the Early Years sector which are attached here. These are great courses for staff to use as Continuing Professional Development before they start their Level 2, between Level 2 and Level 3 or once qualified at Level 3.  Attached here is a brand new course Stroud College are offering called L2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health in Early Years.

We hope that this is helpful.  Obviously there are other training providers including Gloucestershire College, Adult Education in Gloucestershire and various private providers such as the Childcare Company.